I Pull My Blue Jeans On

Just how has my personal history informed the way I dress.  Well I'm 48 and no longer wear those multi-coloured mini skirts made from the remnant bins.  I don't have those size 10 jeans with 37 patches (patches on patches) and the size 10 boat sailed so long ago I don't remember how many masts it had.

I used to dress in whatever I liked.  Not in the so what way but what I liked the touch, feel, style, fabric of whether or not it suited me, was practical for what I was doing or, ahem, even if it fitted well.

I'm still swayed by the feel and the drape, but I cannot afford to make a mistake which often evens itself up as "if in doubt, do without" and I also have the starlings to feather first.  I'm still a sucker for the bright, bold and out there and over the years that is where most errors have been made.  The other note to self has to be NO WHITE, my lifestyle just cannot support it.  I love it but it does not mix with kids, cats, dogs, motorbikes, gardening, cooking.  "You rake around too much for that" my mum used to say.  I thought she was having a go but she was just being honest.  I do rake around, I like it that way.  I want to be all Audrey Hepburn but ... 

The very beautiful and demur Audrey Hepburn

Being a fashion guru in the lovely Sand's back garden

I'm not and no amount of wanting will make me be.

My most famous faux pas was a silver zoot suit  - I am 5', I'd seen a tall leggy model wear one she looked great I looked crap.  Hey it was the 1980's.

I think having children was the major turning point.  It felt like I was smeared in other peoples puke, piss and bodily detritis for years.  What do I mean felt like, I was.  My body filled out and fell downwards and whilst I must for my own health give it a bit of an overhaul at the same time I have learnt to love my body fat or thin, young or old most of the time.  In fact in its naked state its really ok with me.  It's the stretched, soft, scarred temple MY soul lives in.  My actual body is not the problem.  The problem comes when I put things on it don't that suit it and it ends up looking very wrong.

I have found that although casual and practical I look good in jeans, dressed up or down.  I have all sorts of jeans in different widths and colours, even shorts, but even then its boot leg or skinny not straight they don't suit.  They're warm, practical and occasionally long lasting.  I've found colours and styles of tops that suit the massive bazoomas, arms and short waist.  I would like to wear more dresses but it is hard to get them to a) fit and b) look good so because of the cost issues I tend not to bother for fear of getting it wrong but maybe this summer is the year of the dress.

     

It's been a long time, been a long time ...

I started my sewing journey with a four by four tapestry of a grass hut on a desert island with a single palm tree I bought in the co-op when I was eight.  I took it everywhere with me until it was done.  It was never framed and I no longer have it but it was my first step.  I arrived at my senior school sewing classes with much more enthusiasm than ability and worked at it.  I loved it then and I love it now.  At school we were taught to sew clothes, the O Level we took was Needlecraft and Dress.  I had little money and made mini skirts from the remnant bins of the local sewing stores.  You could get fabric from so many places then, all three of our local department stores had a haberdashery department. There were three independants and the market too.  I had a sewing hiatus whilst the kids were young and then I found quilting and I've been sewing more and more but I have not been sewing many clothes.  Not that I can't or don't want to, I've been buying fabric and patterns aplenty.  I've been watching what other bloggers are making and wearing and thinking, me too but I still havn't actually ...

So, whilst browsing I went to http://www.coletterie.com/ which is a fine blog full of sewing inspiration written by Sarai Mitnick.  She is running some posts called Wardrobe Architect encouraging people to examine what they sew, why, whether it does or doesn't work for them and and ultimately to build a wardrobe of items they will love.

She has done it brilliantly spreading it out with printable worksheets.  I have also seen other bloggers forming capsule wardrobes.  Although a bit late to the party I'm loving this idea and will be posting on my responses to Sarai's worksheets and exercises.

One Down, Nine To Go!

Along with lots of others, you know who you are, I have joined Katy at The Littlest Thistle in the Finish Along 2014.  I duly went through all the WIPs and number 5 on the list was a denim bag I had started in a rush for my friend which then went horribly wrong.  I think the clue to myself is that phrase "in a rush".  Never a good start!  Still, today I wrestled it out from the back of the cupboard and took it apart.  I discarded the patchwork side, completely, added more denim and a different lining material and sewed it up again.

In truth, it is a completely different style using a large amount of different fabric, but as it is partly the same and the same project for the same person I'm sticking with it as a finish.

I based it on the Triple Zippy Pouch from Debbie at A Quilters Table.  I used 10 inch zips and worked out the sizes of the fabrics whilst watching a double barrel of The Deathly Hallows this morning.  I then spent most of the afternoon and early evening (with a quick stop to cook pasta) sewing it up.

I forgot exactly how to sew the very last bit together until after I ended up with a three inch gap on the outside so I had to bodge it a little with some Pritt Stick and topstitching but in the end I don't think anyone would actually know (I didn't need to say that did I) so alls well that ends well.

I am actually surprisingly pleased with it and I hope my friend is to.  Phew, a finish at last!

Linking up with TGIFF :)

Giveaway Winner :)

It's high time I announced the winner of my blogiversay giveaway.  Thank you all so much for entering and letting me know what you were doing.  It seems like a lot of you like "The Cheap Shop" too.  It is a treasure trove for crafters.  Now on to the important business.

I wrote all your names down and put them in a little bowl.  Then I asked Rory to come downstairs and pick a winner.  Then I got tired of "hanging on" whilst he just "finished this bit" on the X-Box so  I went upstairs and asked him to pick one of your lovely names.  He picked Diane.  Diane commented on my first blog post and has been a follower since then.  Give me an e-mail Di and let me know your address and your package will be winging its way to you.

I've got probably about an hour before the maurading hoards descend so I'm gonna make a start on another of the blocks for Rory's quilt.  It's down to the hand stitched, paper pieced or applique ones now and I've gotta push myself so I'm aiming for two this week (lame I know but it is half-term and that's my excuse and I'm sticking to it!)

Blog Posts Like Buses

In the three hours or so since I last posted I've made another one,  Much more impressed with how this one has come out.  If the other one was the tester this is the polished article.  The zipper is longer and I put the end cover on at the beginning, before sewing anything else, top stitched around the end of the zipper gap easily, used a fusible interfacing on the outside and lining that is like cotton fabric but with sticky dots.  Lovely to use, my favourite at the moment, I'm not sure what it's called though, I just go in and pick up the roll.  Really I should ask how much for a roll I guess.

I love this fabric.  Way back in April 2012 I entered a giveaway hosted by Quilts From My Crayon Box and won four lovely fat quarters of which these are three.  I was so glad to win (I rarely win anything) and have kept them for just the right project.  Today, whilst on the A12 (my preferred place to think!) in the rain (who isn't) I remembered these and thought this was what they had been waiting for.

What have you got just waiting for the right project?

Wide Mouth Zipper Pouch

As usual I'm late to the party.  But at last I've made my first  wide mouth zipper pouch.  I've yet to sew the cover on the end of the zipper but I wanted to photo it and get it on here.  To be homest they are not the greatest photos ever taken what with the British weather an all but concentrate on the content rather than the style!

I really loved making this little pouch and have some thoughts to share:

First up I have to say it is really easy to put together.  It's my first go at boxy corners and they are slightly uneven.  It was getting late and I have to admit to rushing them.

I used and iron on fleece interfacing on the lining which in hindsight was overkill so I will go with a lighter but stiffer one next time.

Lastly I was Mick Mc|Mannus with the zip.  In my head, when I was very good and read all the instructions, I knew which way to manoever the zip but in practice I still did it the wrong way round and had to unpick a  bit.  Still next time I'll know.  Oh, and I just remembered I think on the 10" pounch I will use a 12" zip and sew the cover on first.

Here's the photees ...

I'm off to make another one now.  Hope you had a good day.  Mine was full of dentists and the A12 in the rain.

Two Years? Where Did That Go?

Yesterday was my Second Blogiversary.  Blogging for two years.  Wow, out there and online even with my total lack of technical acumen.  Woo Hoo.  My plan for my blog was to keep a record of my sewing but my life is so much more than this and my hither thither brain makes it impossible for me to stick with just that.  Still, as they say, I'm loving it!!!

Which means it's time for a giveaway.  I dropped Ruby at her dad's (and believe me getting her out of bed on a Saturdaty was no mean feat) and on the way back called into the The Cheap Shop iu Tiptree.  It is not cheap, to be fair it is not expensive either, but it is an emporium of craft gorgeousness.  I was restrained and I did have to get her some soluble vilene for her textiles class.  That's my excuse and I'm sticking to it!!

So, would you like to win this?

It is six fat quarters, some handmade felt flowers, a skein of Anchor Embroidery thread and a recyled paper sketchbook.

Leave me a comment telling me how you spent your weekend, and if you share this on your blog leave me another comment telling me so for another chance to win it.

Have a good Sunday :)